Photographer's Note

Shri Adhya Katyani Shakti Peeth Mandir is popularly known as Chhatarpur Temple since it is located in a down town area in south of Delhi - Chattarpur. This is the second largest temple complex in India, and is dedicated to Goddess, Katyayani. It is located at Chhatarpur, on the south-western outskirts of the city of Delhi.

The temple was established in 1974, by Baba Sant Nagpal ji, who died in 1998. His samadhi shrine lies in the premises of the Shiv-Gauri Nageshwar Mandir within the temple complex.

This temple was considered as the biggest temple in India and second largest in the world, before the Akshardham Temple was created in 2005, also in Delhi. This temple is totally constructed from marble and on all the facets there is jaali (perforated stone or latticed screen) work.

The entire temple complex spread over 60 acres (24.3 ha), has over 20 small and large temples divided in three different complexes. The main deity in the temple is Goddess Katyayani, a part of Navadurga, the nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga or Shakti, worshipped during the Navratri celebrations.

A side shrine within the main temple houses a shrine of Goddess Katyayani (Durga), which opens only during the bi-annual Navratri season, when thousands of people throng the premises for darshan. One nearby room has been made as living room with tables and chairs made in silver, and another regarded as the Shayan Kaksha (Bed Room), where a bed, dressing table and table are carved in silver. This shrine opens on a large satsang or prayer hall, where religious discourses and bhajans, (religious songs) are held. Just at the entrance to the main temple, stands an old tree, where devotees tie holy threads for wish fulfilment. Another shrine of Goddess Durga is open to devotees morning to evening, it lies above the shrines dedicated to Radha Krishna, and Lord Ganesh.

The complex also has other temples dedicated to Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The temples have been built in both South and North Indian style of temple architecture.

Hi Stephen,
an another beautiful photo of this architecture the vertical composition is attractive, very nice details and the POV is superb, amazing architecture, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
György

Hi Stephen,
Amazing marble carved art on the edifice. The mid-town temple is darkened by the neighbouring houses, but a carful POV as taken can show a fine part of this.
Architecture's at best possible angel.
Regards
Ike

Lovely architectural beauty on this marble stone with a small shrine in the foreground. The tiles are attractive. The man in the saffron robes grabs the attention. Details are well presented on this sharp image.

Hi Stephen
this series of shots in India are so beautiful and so wonderfully executed. This is another beauty. Amazing detail and your light management is flawless here. Superb architecture superbly captured and presented.